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Radar uses

Discussion of radars, GPS, autopilots, stereos and TV's. Also iPad and other mobile navigation devices.
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Topic author United States of America
Seif911
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Vessel Info: 1977 Carver Mariner 33'
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Radar uses

Postby Seif911 » April 24th, 2013, 9:08 am

Good Morning All,
So my 77' Carver has a very old Raytheon radar. I'm not sure if it works yet. I am curious what is the purpose of radar? Is it just good for night and fog? Does it tell you the location of other boats or does it tell you weather fronts, or both?
I am just wondering to determine how much I really want it to work. I will be boating in Lake Michigan. Most of the time within 10 miles of shore but occasionally I will cross the lake, which is maybe 60 miles where I will cross.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve

22' Godfrey Hurricane Fun Deck, Fiberglass hull, 175 HP, Deck boat
24' Chrysler Cruiseliner III (Lonestar), 120 HP, Aluminum Hull, Cabin, 1968
33' Carver Mariner, fiberglass hull, 520 HP, Yacht, 1977

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United States of America
waybomb
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Posts: 2404
Joined: February 5th, 2013, 9:24 pm
Vessel Info: 1995 Boston Whaler Rage15
1987 3697 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar 46 Kevlar Vee offshore
1969 15' Glasspar / 1967 Johnson Electromatic 85
1996 Boston Whaler Rage 15
Location: Saint Joseph,Mi
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Re: Radar uses

Postby waybomb » April 24th, 2013, 1:16 pm

When you need it, you will be glad you have it. Like when a fog bank rolls in and you can't see the front of your boat. Yes, it can get that bad about as quick as it takes to read this post!
Uses of radar:
watch for rain clouds, meaning storms, track them, and avoid them
fisherman use them for spotting birds - that's where the fish are
fog or night situations - pick up objects you can run into
fog situations - find your harbor and get into it safely
track other vessels relative to your position
while sitting on your boat in the harbor on a foggy day and helping stranded boaters get back into the harbor.

What model is the radar? If it is one with a round screen, probably not very good if working at all. A brand new color radar will cost you 5k easy. You can buy a 2 or 3 generation old used radar for less than a thousand.
Thanks
Fred
1969 Glaspar Avalon /1969 Johnson Electromatic 85
1987 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar Kevlar 46' with triple blown 572 ci
1995 Boston Whaler Rage
Past - 1988 2807, 1989 4207 Aft
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Re: Radar uses

Postby CYO Admin » April 24th, 2013, 1:21 pm

Radar, of your vintage, won't tell where storm cells are and where they are headed. The will tell you where other objects are (boats, piling, land masses, etc.). Most casual boaters don't need radar. If you plan to run at night or in the fog you'll wish you had the best one on the market today.

If it does work, learn how to tune it, and read it. You don't want the first time your unexpectedly caught in a fog bank to be the last day of your life :)
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Topic author United States of America
Seif911
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Posts: 233
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Vessel Info: 1977 Carver Mariner 33'
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Re: Radar uses

Postby Seif911 » April 24th, 2013, 3:03 pm

Wow, it can even pick up birds? That is pretty cool. It is a Raytheon Pathfinder. It is round and looks like a submarine periscope with the viewer like goggles to keep the sun out, I guess. It will be fun to play with if it works. If not, we'll that will need to wait until next year maybe.
Thanks,
Steve
Thanks,
Steve

22' Godfrey Hurricane Fun Deck, Fiberglass hull, 175 HP, Deck boat
24' Chrysler Cruiseliner III (Lonestar), 120 HP, Aluminum Hull, Cabin, 1968
33' Carver Mariner, fiberglass hull, 520 HP, Yacht, 1977
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United States of America
waybomb
CYO Moderator
CYO Moderator
Posts: 2404
Joined: February 5th, 2013, 9:24 pm
Vessel Info: 1995 Boston Whaler Rage15
1987 3697 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar 46 Kevlar Vee offshore
1969 15' Glasspar / 1967 Johnson Electromatic 85
1996 Boston Whaler Rage 15
Location: Saint Joseph,Mi
Has thanked: 50 times
Been thanked: 396 times

Re: Radar uses

Postby waybomb » April 24th, 2013, 6:18 pm

The one you have is pretty much useless. Find a decent Furuno 1941 or Raytheon 41xx open array. You can pick one up for less than a grand, and if you have time, just keep watching ebay and I'm sure you'll score one for about 500. These were very expensive radars in their day, and are "green screen". Just make sure whatever you buy comes with all the cables.

If you decide you can spend more than a grand, there's a whole bunch of decent Furuno, Raytheon, Raymarine, Garmin, Northstar color radars out there. You can get something good whatever your budget is.
Thanks
Fred
1969 Glaspar Avalon /1969 Johnson Electromatic 85
1987 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar Kevlar 46' with triple blown 572 ci
1995 Boston Whaler Rage
Past - 1988 2807, 1989 4207 Aft
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AaHubb
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Re: Radar uses

Postby AaHubb » April 24th, 2013, 8:36 pm

Like others have said, You don't need it... until you do. Then it can be a life saver. The important thing is to run it often so you will be able to read it when you need it the most.
'99 404 CPMY
SeaDragon
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United States of America
waybomb
CYO Moderator
CYO Moderator
Posts: 2404
Joined: February 5th, 2013, 9:24 pm
Vessel Info: 1995 Boston Whaler Rage15
1987 3697 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar 46 Kevlar Vee offshore
1969 15' Glasspar / 1967 Johnson Electromatic 85
1996 Boston Whaler Rage 15
Location: Saint Joseph,Mi
Has thanked: 50 times
Been thanked: 396 times

Re: Radar uses

Postby waybomb » April 24th, 2013, 9:13 pm

I am not certain, but somewhere along the way, I was told there is a rule somewhere that states if you have radar installed on your vessel, you must have it powered up while piloting. Again, not certain, but I've always had my radar on all the time, and like AaHubb says, when you need it, you'll be glad you have it and know how to use it immediately by doing so.
Thanks
Fred
1969 Glaspar Avalon /1969 Johnson Electromatic 85
1987 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar Kevlar 46' with triple blown 572 ci
1995 Boston Whaler Rage
Past - 1988 2807, 1989 4207 Aft
User avatar

Topic author United States of America
Seif911
Captain
Captain
Posts: 233
Joined: April 11th, 2013, 6:46 am
Vessel Info: 1977 Carver Mariner 33'
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Been thanked: 3 times

Re: Radar uses

Postby Seif911 » April 24th, 2013, 11:33 pm

I have a Humminbird 898SI fish locator with GPS. Has anybody used the radar that you can up from Humminbird? I can pick that up for maybe $1200.
Thanks,
Steve

22' Godfrey Hurricane Fun Deck, Fiberglass hull, 175 HP, Deck boat
24' Chrysler Cruiseliner III (Lonestar), 120 HP, Aluminum Hull, Cabin, 1968
33' Carver Mariner, fiberglass hull, 520 HP, Yacht, 1977
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United States of America
CYO Admin
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Re: Radar uses

Postby CYO Admin » April 25th, 2013, 7:20 am

waybomb wrote:I am not certain, but somewhere along the way, I was told there is a rule somewhere that states if you have radar installed on your vessel, you must have it powered up while piloting.



I have heard that as well.
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United States of America
AaHubb
Commander
Commander
Posts: 313
Joined: February 16th, 2013, 5:46 pm
Vessel Info: '99 404 CPMY
my twin diesel pusher
Location: Kennewick, Wa
Has thanked: 15 times
Been thanked: 60 times

Re: Radar uses

Postby AaHubb » April 25th, 2013, 10:51 pm

I believe that rule applies to commercial craft not private.
'99 404 CPMY
SeaDragon

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